NRA has contributed heavily to help elect Bass, Guinta to Congress

The National Rifle Association, which on Friday fought back against calls for more gun control since the mass shooting a week ago in Connecticut, has over the last four years contributed heavily to the elections of New Hampshire Republican U.S. Reps. Charlie Bass and Frank Guinta.

Since 2009, the NRA has contributed nearly $200,000 combined to aid in their 2010 and 2012 elections to Congress, a WMUR analysis of campaign finance records shows. Both Guinta and Bass lost in November, but are still in office until Jan. 2.

Through either directly giving to the campaign or spending money on his behalf, the NRA spent $128,000 to get Bass elected in just the last two elections. Bass has a history with the NRA in particular. He was first elected to Congress in 1994 when he defeated Democrat Dick Swett. Many political experts say Swett's vote for a national assault weapons ban was a key reason why.

For Guinta, of Manchester, the NRA has contributed over $67,000 since 2009.

For both congressman, the NRA has been among the largest political contributors.

Campaign finance records also show the NRA has not given any money to the state's U.S. senators: Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat, or Kelly Ayotte, a Republican. During her 2010 Republican primary, Ayotte was criticized on her past actions on gun policy while she served as the state's attorney general.

At a press conference Friday, the NRA blamed a number of factors in the shooting in Newtown, Conn. a week ago, but suggested the powerful Washington organization played no role.